Tips for Breastfeeding Twins When You Learn You Are Having Twins You May Experience a Breast

Tips for Breastfeeding Twins When you learn you are having twins you may experience a breast. At the next feeding, Baby B takes the left breast and range of emotions: from joy to worry. Suddenly many of your Baby A takes the right breast. expectations, plans, and former decisions are changed. Your decision to breastfeed, however, does not have to change. Human Night Nursings milk is especially important for twins, who are often small at birth Night nursings will be easier if you can learn to nurse lying down. and need all the health benefits of human milk. Breastfeeding helps Mothers have found different positions that work well, depending you create that special and necessary bond with both babies. Many on the size of their babies, their breasts and the length of their arms. mothers have nursed their twins with wonderful results; you can You can nurse your babies one at a time or together, while reclining, enjoy nurturing your babies in this special way, too! lying nearly flat on your back, or lying on your side. For ideas about positioning, you can look at the pictures here, in breastfeeding Getting Started books or call a La Leche League Leader. • General Information about how to breastfeed (or preparing to breastfeed) can be found in LLLC Information Sheets Mothering the Mother #456, #457, #469 and #481. • Above all, a mother of twins needs to take good care of • Nursing early and often right after herself, eating well-balanced meals and drinking to thirst. birth is the best way to get a good Get as much rest as possible by sleeping whenever the start breastfeeding. However, if babies sleep. Even if they do not nap at the same time, at you or your babies have a health least sit down and rest as often as possible. Accept all offers problem or they need to be of help with meals, laundry, and older siblings. separated from you, this does not • Enjoy this special time when you can nourish and nurture mean you have to give up the idea two little human beings at once! of breastfeeding.

• If it is necessary to express your milk because one or both Ambivalent Feelings babies cannot nurse, colostrum can be collected most Before, during, and after birth, some mothers of twins have mixed effectively using hand expression. If you need to continue emotions about their “double blessings.” Unfortunately, they are expressing, a full-size automatic electric pump will stimulate often isolated from others because of bedrest or fatigue, or their regular milk production. You should plan on pumping both negative feelings are not understood by those around them. breasts every two to three hours during the day and at least These feelings are a normal reaction to a very stressful situation once during the night. and should not be ignored or discounted. It often helps to talk to • Milk supply is regulated by the amount of sucking (or another mother of twins. pumping) that stimulates the breasts. That’s why mothers of twins almost always produce enough milk for both babies. Finding Support Tell friends and family members about practical and helpful Coordinating Nursings ways to be involved. Pass along the information on the reverse • Many mothers find that their twins want or need to side of this sheet so they can help and encourage you during breastfeed one at a time for some feedings. Once the twins this incredible time in your life! are at home and effectively sucking, it may become easier to For more information on breastfeeding twins, you can call La nurse the babies together. Use pillows to support the babies Leche League Canada at 1-800-665-4324 for a referral to a La so your hands are free to help each one latch on correctly. Leche League Canada Leader in her area. Visit our web site at • In the first few weeks, it’s a good idea to switch babies from www.LLLC.ca. one side to the other at alternate feedings. For example, Baby For breastfeeding support contact: A takes the left breast at 7 am and Baby B takes the right 1-800-665-4324 or

www.LLLC.ca

©2016 La Leche League Canada • E-mail [email protected] • Breastfeeding Referral Service 1-800-665-4324 La Leche League Canada is a charitable organization — Registration Number 11900 3812 RR0002 No. 462 – 2016 Help! An Open Letter To Spouses, Friends & Relatives of Mothers of Twins Mothers of twins need extra help. Many find that their biggest when she complains or seems tired. challenges are getting enough food and rest. Mothers of twins • The mother may be feeling vulnerable; do not undermine her also have unique challenges holding, carrying and going out confidence by asking negative questions like “Are you sure with more than one baby. They those babies are getting enough to eat?” or “Why aren’t they may feel isolated, resentful or sleeping through the night yet?” nervous. The help and support • Concentrate on “mothering the mother” and helping with of friends, relatives, and spouses household chores rather than trying to take over the care of might mean the difference the babies. between making it and falling • A mother of twins needs extra help at least throughout the apart. Many times people want first year; don’t disappear after three months. to help, but they don’t know what Breastfeed while resting to do. Friends or family members What if there is no help? who try to help can actually make things worse. Here is a short If the mother of twins is living far away from family and friends, list of tips for anyone who wants to help a mother of twins. or they are working during the day, hiring a mother’s helper may be the answer. Even if the cost is high, the mother’s physical What you can do and emotional well-being are worth it. Some mothers have • Bring food when you visit. hired high school students to help after school. Some churches • Change the babies. or community groups provide volunteer mother’s helpers • Give her a back rub or a foot massage while she nurses the babies. for mothers of twins. Mothers of twins will find support for • Bring her water or juice. breastfeeding and mothering at La Leche League meetings. • Watch the babies while she sleeps. • If a baby needs to nurse in the middle of the night, change Helpful Reading: him, then bring him to the mother while she is in bed. When Mothering Multiples: the next baby wakes up switch them. Breastfeeding and Caring for • Watch the babies while she takes a 15 minute walk or a Twins or More! bubble bath. Revised edition • By Karen Kerkhoff • Listen if she is feeling scared, tired, or overwhelmed. Gromada • Hold her if she needs to cry. Mothering Multiples covers all aspects of • Do laundry, fold the clothes, and put them away in the dresser. caring for multiple babies including possible complications • Go grocery shopping for her. of pregnancy, preparing for a multiple birth, coping with • Prepare lunch or dinner and serve it to her. newborns who might need to spend time in a NICU, • Tell her you love her. establishing a milk supply for multiple babies, adjusting as • Bring over current magazines, catalogues, or DVDs. a couple, and caring for toddler multiples. This book is a La • Help her find another mother of twins to talk to. Leche League bestseller. The author also provides current • Clean up the kitchen, do dishes, vacuum, pick up. information on her website at www.karengromada.com. • Tell her what a good job she’s doing with her babies. Softcover, 448 pages. La Leche League International, 2007. ISBN: 9780976896937 Other things to keep in mind • When you visit, help the mother feel relaxed; don’t expect to This document has been prepared with funds provided by the Government of Ontario and the support of the Best Start Resource Centre at Health Nexus. The be entertained. information herein reflects the views of the authors and is not officially endorsed by • She needs support and encouragement; don’t give advice the Government of Ontario or the Best Start Resource Centre.